COVID-19 Bivalent Boosters Arriving in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Department of Health - September 6, 2022 3:52 pm
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the CDC have recommended the use of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
Per the new recommendations, all COVID-19 booster doses in individuals 12 years and older would be of the bivalent vaccine, and monovalent vaccines will no longer be approved as a booster dose(s) in this age group.
Updated booster doses have started arriving in the state.
Monovalent vaccines in the state are still authorized for use in the primary series of vaccination.
“These new, updated booster doses are expected to provide better protection against the current circulating Omicron variant,” said Dr. Gitanjali Pai, Chief Medical Officer for OSDH. “The updated bivalent boosters include components of both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron variant.”
The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older, while the bivalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Bivalent formulations of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are currently recommended for use as a single booster dose at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination.
We encourage Oklahomans with questions about the updated boosters to contact their trusted healthcare provider.
For vaccine appointments visit Home (oklahoma.gov). We recommended reaching out to your local healthcare provider or health department to ensure updated booster doses have been received at that specific location.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. OSDH provides technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments in Oklahoma, as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/health.
